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Jesus

This rare mosaic, the earliest known image of Christ in Britain, comes from the center of a mosaic pavement in a 4th-century Roman villa. It was discovered in the village of Hinton St Mary (Dorset) in 1963. It is the only known portrait of Christ used in a mosaic pavement. Instead of a halo there is a Chi-Rho (first two letters of Christ in Greek) monogram behind his head. The pomegranates symbolize resurrection. British Museum, London.

Stained glass panel depicting the Pharisees turning away from Christ, who carries a scroll reading: "whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life" (Jn 6:54). Center panel, sixth register, Second Typological Window in the north choir aisle (n. XIV, 6), dated to about 1180. This scene corresponds with the Sower on Stony Ground in the adjacent panel, and refers to the overall theme of Typological Window 6 (where this originally appeared) comparing the seed with the bread of the Eucharist.

The Crucifixion. Panel 14 on left bronze door, created by a German artist in the late 11th or early 12th century. Some of the first castings in bronze made since Roman times, San Zeno's magnificent bronze doors are decorated with 48 panels illustrating biblical stories and the lives of St. Michael and St. Zeno. Basilica di San Zeno Maggiore, Verona, Italy.

The Resurrection of Christ, with angels and sleeping soldiers. Roof boss in the north walk of the cloister, 14th century. Norwich Cathedral, England.

Christianity is based on the life and teachings of a man named Jesus. According to the New Testament, Jesus of Nazareth asked his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" As the Christian faith spread around the world, millions of individuals and religious groups have answered this question in various ways.

Jesus is the central figure of Christianity, of course, but he is also important in new religious movements that grew out of Christianity and even in some non-Christian religions such as Islam, the Baha'i Faith, and Cao Dai. Jesus is respected as a wise teacher by many Buddhists, Hindus, some Jews, and even many non-religious people.

The English word "Jesus" comes from the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, a common name which means "savior." Christ is not actually Jesus' last name but a title; it comes from the Greek form of the Hebrew Messiah, meaning "anointed one." Since the time of the earliest Christians, "Christ" has been used both with "Jesus" and as a stand-alone to refer to Jesus.

Christians believe, and most modern scholars agree, that Jesus was an actual historical figure. The "historical Jesus" is a term used to distinguish the academic study of Jesus from religious beliefs about his life and significance.

As recorded in the Gospels, the teachings of Jesus focused primarily on the "the kingdom of God" and were usually relayed through parables drawing on familiar images from agricultural life. He rebuked the hypocrisy of some Jewish leaders and taught the importance of love and kindness, even to one's enemies.

While Jesus' teachings were fundamentally Jewish, they departed significantly from the Jewish law of his day. Perhaps most astonishing of all was that he taught on his own authority. Whereas Jewish prophets had always prefaced their messages with "thus saith the Lord," Jesus said things like, "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.'" {2}

Jesus' popularity grew quickly, but so did opposition from local leaders. Roman rulers were uncomfortable with the common perception that he was the Messiah who would liberate the Jews from Roman rule, while Jewish leaders were disquieted by Jesus' shocking interpretations of Jewish law, his power with the people, and the rumor that he had been alluding to his own divinity.

According to the Gospels, Jesus was executed by crucifixion, and buried in a stone tomb by his mother and devastated followers. Three days later, his tomb was found to be empty, and the resurrected Jesus appeared to his disciples and thousands of people before ascending into heaven, promising to return.

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Jesus Christ is central to Mormon beliefs. The New Testament teachings about him, as well as Smith's teaching that Christ came to America, as recorded in the Book of Mormon, form the foundation of LDS doctrine... full article →